Interesting comments and observations and different logics. My surgeon said drinking more than one unit of alcohol per day = a significant increase in risk of recurrence. Well, that’s good enough for me. The past 2 years have been horrible and if there are reasonable, achievable steps I can take to reduce the risk of recurrence they are worth taking as far as I’m concerned.
And I think the fact of whether one has children or not is completely irrelevant and suggests that people who don’t have children are somehow less worthy of a longer life.
If you put yourself at a higher risk by choosing to drink more alcohol, become/stay overweight, smoke etc. that’s your decision but personally I’d rather give myself every chance I can of still being around to enjoy my life for many years to come.
Hi skinnyminx
It appears that you have rather missed the point of this thread, which was started with a light-hearted attitude. Some of us enjoy a drink or two and accept that it may increase our risks, but we are grown-ups and understand and accept that increase in risk. Yes, we could all lead extremely virtuous lives, eating all the right things, avoiding all the wrong things, but some people would rather live their life as they choose.
And whether you have children is nothing to do with being worthy of having a longer life. I don’t have children and therefore don’t have to worry about the impact my decisions may have on any offspring. It’s just me and my husband that I have to consider, and yes that does sometimes simplify decisions about my health.
It also means I can choose whether or not to take the self-righteous goody-two-shoes pills or not!
Each to their own I say! My surgeon and onc both,when asked, said direct effect of alchol on breast cancer is inconclusive,not proven link.Also,surprisingly the same was said of smoking on breast cancer.
Having children,doesn’t mean one deserves a longer life-but it certainly does change one’s perspective on all things and I believe those ladies who have young children do have another dimension to their illness that emotionally makes it all that much harder to deal with.
I think that everyone is entitled to make decisions about how they live their lives, if they choose to risk shortening their lifespan that’s their choice - it’s just not my choice. I am comfortable with expressing that opinion whether or not it is a popular one.
Gosh…that is a bit harsh. Are you some sort of scientific guru ? Are you stage 4 too ? My onc says to enjoy wine…Surely we do not have to pontificate from moral high ground…it is individual choice.
As a matter of fact my Mum died from BC aged 30. She was skinny, fit, bresatfed and did not drink. I wonder what she did wrong, well apart from being a female.
I am sure if she could my Mum would advise people to enjoy your life, you are too long dead.
That is what this thread is…a light hearted coping mechanism.
What a timely thread, I’ve just sent husband off to Sainsburys with a ‘small bottle Baileys’ at the bottom of my shopping list. I was tee-total, never liked the taste of alcohol. I ticked all the right boxes, just like your Mum Julie but I was still diagnosed at a relatively young age with stage four bc from the very beginning. Last Christmas I discovered I liked a small Baileys so what the heck…chemo finishes this weekend and I’m going to enjoy a few drinks before starting the next cycle.
Hope you’re all enjoying the sunshine.
I don’t drink therefore do I feel guilty cause some research shows a small amount of alcohol is beneficial?? It is above all an individual choice and some have very strong views. Everyone looks at their own illness, prognosis etc and decides what is best for them,and I don’t feel these decisions are lightly taken by anyone.
I think being light hearted is the best way forward for me, I love to laugh, life is serious enough and any pleasures are a bonus. xx
Hi Avril - the article pretty much said the same as you, it is very amusing, written by someone who likes a drink and felt sorry for the sober mice who took the pills and then had to watch all their mates getting merry!
Each to their own choice, I say. We cannot dictate to others and have to make informed choices for ourselves. I enjoy a glass (or two!) of red wine and tonight I am opening a bottle of champagne! I finished chemo in Feb, rads in April, after 2 ops in Sep 2010 and am still on Herceptin and Letrozole. I choose to celebtrate each pay day with a bottle of champers and marvel at having got through the last year and raise a toast to my wonderful family and friends who have helped me deal with the year. I hope you all enjoy your own preference of tipple tonight and for those who are teatotal, enjoy your cuppa too!! J.
Absolutely, I entirely agree! We can make decisions every day which risk increasing or chances of shortening our lives, but we are adult and make informed choices. Alcohol is only one such example. Even the ‘very good’ things that are talked about are,in another breath, described as being ‘risky’! Everything in moderation and most of all enjoy life is my motto! Best wished to all! J.
yes think you have missed the lighthearted tinge we has on this thread skinny…im not overweight i dont smoke i went to a gym 4 years and have always eaten a healthy diet…yes ive still got breast cancer…and secondary with a life expectancy of aroung 5 years …so if i fancy a drink i will have one…I deserve it
It’s been repeated time and time again that the figures of 14 units a week for women and 21 for men were just pulled out of thin air. The doctors who came up that stuff for the Dept of Health admitted they didn’t have a clue, they were just required to give a figure the government of the day could use.
As far as I’m concerned I’m a 50 year old grown up and if I want a glass of wine I will, however I can take it or leave it these days. I was on holiday in Cumbria last week and was sitting outside on the Wednesday evening in glorious sunshine, yes, having a glass of wine or 2 with my beloved. Unfortunately I got a horrendous insect bite (I’ve been advised it was a spider as there were 2 puncture marks). This resulted in me having to see a doctor in an emergency as my leg and foot doubled in size from below the knee. I’m now on penicillin and not allowed alcohol - and I’ve still got another week off work
My surgeon told me never to sit and wonder why I got breast cancer as they would probably never be able to tell me. That was 5 years ago tomorrow (5th Oct) and I only wish I could raise a glass to celebrate the fact I’m still here. Let’s face it, just living eventually kills you.
I live. In saudi arabia,the only dry country in the world where no alchol is imported,sold or consumed.I still have managed to get stage 4 bc.so,I have flown back to my lovely Welsh home for a week to catch up with my pals and, yep,you’ve guessed it enjoy the odd tipple or three! I had a fish & chip supper with half a bottle of merlot-it tasted FAB! Before diagnosis I ran half marathons & looked after myself. Now-i’m enjoying the little time I have left,eating, drinking snd being very merry, I’ll raise a glass to Cherub tonight. Bottoms up! Xxxx
